Chemical Education Today
Book & Media Reviews Analytical Electrochemistry, 2nd Edition by Joseph Wang Wiley: New York, 2000. 209 pp. 16.0 × 24.2 cm. ISBN 0471-28272-3. $74.95. reviewed by David L. Langhus
This book addresses the modern practice of electroanalytical chemistry, bridging the gap between traditional general textbooks on analytical chemistry and the research literature. In its six chapters the reader will find a concise treatment of a number of chronoamperometric methods in common use, as well as an introduction to the many potentiometric and amperometric sensors currently popular or showing particular promise. The book begins with an overview of the primary factors affecting electrode processes in controlled-potential experiments, including ion transport, heterogeneous kinetics, and the electrical double layer. Simple presentation of appropriate formulas predominates, rather than an emphasis on derivation from first principles. A mastery of undergraduate physical chemistry and familiarity with the notation of the partial differential calculus is assumed. In the second chapter this foundation is augmented with the treatment of several electroanalytical methods that are employed primarily in the study of electrode processes, including cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry. Chapter 3 is a compendium of chronoamperometric methods, mainly variations on the polarographic experiment, that are in common use primarily for quantitative analysis. Chapter 4 explores practical considerations in performing controlledpotential experiments, including a very helpful review of the strengths and weaknesses of the variety of indicating electrode materials frequently encountered. Chapter 5 represents a break from what precedes it in that its content is confined to a reasonably complete overview of membrane ion-sensitive electrodes. It stands alone and could be profitably studied without reference to the rest of the book if potentiometric determination of ionic species were the primary interest. This thread is then merged with that of the first four
chapters in a final chapter on electrochemical sensors, including many based on amperometric methods. Although the author claims that this book should be suitable as a supplement to an upper-level undergraduate course, most undergraduate students will find it rough going. The writing style is very compact and few examples are offered. The author prefers to illustrate techniques using applications that are difficult to handle in other ways. This, of course, demonstrates the importance of a given technique, but can fall short of providing the sort of intuitive understanding so valuable to beginning students because the chemical systems involved are typically complex and unfamiliar. As a text for a course in modern electroanalytical chemistry, in addition to the comprehensive coverage within its pages, it provides an excellent key to the primary literature of chronoamperometry and electrochemical sensors, with copious appropriate references at the end of each chapter. It would be well to note, however, that significant areas traditionally included in electroanalytical chemistry such as coulometry, conductimetry, potentiometric and amperometric titration, and potentiometric applications of metallic electrodes are omitted. Nor does this book claim to be a “how-to” reference, so descriptions of actual laboratory procedures or conditions are entirely absent. Therefore, unless the focus of the course is to be an exclusively theoretical treatment of those electroanalytical methods receiving maximum press in the current literature, it will be necessary to consider additional references. All that said, however, this book shines as a self-consistent introduction to the techniques it claims to treat. It is an excellent source of preparation for dealing with electroanalytical chemistry in the current research literature. As such it fills an important niche in the library holdings of any institution of higher learning. Additionally, those who do not consider themselves practicing electrochemists but who, nonetheless, frequently deal with research involving the application of electroanalytical methods will likely find themselves reaching for it often. David Langhus teaches at Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA 18018-6650;
[email protected].
JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu • Vol. 78 No. 4 April 2001 • Journal of Chemical Education
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